"A rat rod is a style of hot rod or custom car that, in most cases, imitates (or exaggerates) the early hot rods of the 40s, 50s & early 60s. It is not to be confused with the somewhat closely related "traditional" hot rod, which is an accurate re-creation or period-correct restoration of a hot rod from the same era.
Most rat rods appear "unfinished", whether they actually are or not, with just the bare essentials to be driven.
The rat rod is the visualization of the idea of function over form. Rat rods are meant to be driven, not shown off. Sometimes the customization will include using spare parts, parts from another car altogether, or even non-car parts."
My husband started with a '31 Hudson Coupe. He found it in a farmers field with an electric fence going through it. He had to dismantle the fence to get the body out.
An assortment of parts were used in the construction of this car. These tail lights are from a '37 Chrysler.
The no-frills interior includes vintage 60's corvette seats and a simple, uncluttered dashboard from a Ford. The newly constructed diamond plate floor boards were made to look old.
The doors have a lovely rusted patina that continue with the 'bare essentials' theme.
With the car being made from so many different parts, it reminds me of the Johnny Cash song 'One Piece At A Time'.
My oh-so-clever husband also had to custom make several of the parts himself. Sadly, the old car parts are no longer available.
This car is made for driving and that is the best part of all!
It's so fun to see the smiles on people as we pass them by and I can't tell you how many grown men have given the old 'thumbs up' to us!
The directional switch is from a '47 Ford Pickup. The ignition is from one of hubby's old trucks from the 60's.
Old school air conditioning at it's best.
Don't let the mud splatter bother you - it just adds to the character.
Can you see the hole in the door?
That would be a bullet hole which passes clean through the car.
Hope you enjoyed my husband's 'Rat Rod'. Have to go now ~ we're going for a ride....
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I seem to have a thing for blueberries lately! Of course, it's not just any blueberries. In my book, it has to be Maine Wild Blueberries!
If you have never tried them, you are in for a real treat. They have a sweet, tangy flavor that is just divine.
I did a little experimenting with this 'Banana Blueberry Walnut Bread' recipe. I made 2 identical loafs, with one small change. The loaf on the left has 'Steel Cut Oats' and the one on the right has 'Old Fashioned Oats'.
I used the same amount in both loafs and used the 'Steel Cut Oats' fresh from the can, with no prior soaking.
The top slice is the 'Old Fashioned Oats' version and the bottom slice is the 'Steel Cut Oats' version. As I expected, the 'Steel Cut' version had a chewier texture to the bread and the 'Old Fashioned Oats' had a more traditional - loaf bread consistency.
The Verdict: If I had to choose one over the other, I guess I would go with the traditional 'Old Fashioned Oats'. They both made a tasty loaf, but I prefer the traditional style.
Now for the recipe...
Banana Blueberry Walnut Bread - Makes 12 Servings
- 1 cup Unbleached All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour
- 3/4 cup Old Fashioned Oats
- 1/3 cup Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 2 large Mashed Ripe Bananas
- 1/2 cup Egg Beaters
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Frozen Maine Wild Blueberries (could also be fresh)
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the first 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the remaining ingredients (with the exception of the blueberries) in a medium bowl. Stir the liquids into the dry ingredients and stir just until moist. Gently fold in the blueberries. Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into the pan and bake in the center of the oven at 350 degrees for approx 1 hour. Insert a knife into the center of the loaf to check for doneness.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 92 g
Amount Per Serving
Calories
154
Calories from Fat
31
% Daily Value*
Total Fat
3.5g
5%
Trans Fat
0.0g
Cholesterol
0mg
0%
Sodium
152mg
6%
Total Carbohydrates
27.2g
9%
Dietary Fiber
2.2g
9%
Sugars
9.9g
Protein
4.7g
Vitamin A 4%
•
Vitamin C 4%
Calcium 3%
•
Iron 11%
Nutrition Grade B-
* Based on a 2000 calorie diet
A layer of 'Brummel & Brown' spread completes this savory treat.
This tastes great for breakfast, or as a snack and it freezes nicely as well.
- 1/4 cup Fiber One Original Bran Cereal
- 1/4 cup Quaker Oats Quick 1-Minute Oats
- 1/4 cup Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Milk
- 1/2 cup Water
- 5 Sprays I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray
- 1 Tbsp Sugar Free Pancake Syrup
Combine above ingredients in a bowl. Microwave for 1 minute on high and stir.
- 1/4 cup Frozen Wild Maine Blueberries (could also be fresh)
Fold in blueberries, cook an additional 30 seconds and gently stir.
Top with whipped cream and walnuts. Stir and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 279 g
Amount Per Serving
Calories
193
Calories from Fat
69
% Daily Value*
Total Fat
7.6g
12%
Saturated Fat
0.7g
3%
Trans Fat
0.0g
Cholesterol
1mg
0%
Sodium
253mg
11%
Total Carbohydrates
34.9g
12%
Dietary Fiber
11.3g
45%
Sugars
4.0g
Protein
5.8g
Vitamin A 3%
•
Vitamin C 6%
Calcium 14%
•
Iron 21%
Nutrition Grade A
* Based on a 2000 calorie diet
I am trying to watch my calories and have switched over to the sugar free syrup, but this could easily be replaced with pure maple syrup, honey or agave syrup. I have also made it without any sweeteners - just the blueberries - and it was still very good, but I tend to go for the sweeter version!
Between the oatmeal and the bran cereal, this makes for one filling bowl of deliciousness and is a wonderful way to start a day!
